Jul 26 2008
Jurrjens, McCann lead the way as Braves bash Phils in opener of critical series
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
Braves 8, Phillies 2
Top of the Order: Playing without Chipper Jones in the opening game of a must-win series, the Braves rode the great pitching of Jair Jurrjens through eight innings then broke open a tense one-run game in the ninth, improving to 3-1 on this ultra-important road trip.
The Good: Jurrjens set the tone, totally dominating one of baseball’s better-hitting teams in one of baseball’s best hitter’s ballparks. Jurrjens was outstanding, allowing just three hits and no runs over eight innings, walking one and striking out six. Of his 100 pitches, 62 were strikes. Brian McCann stepped up bigtime in Chipper’s absence, belting a solo homer in the fourth to give the Braves a 1-0 lead they nursed until the ninth. In the ninth, Mac blew it open, hitting a grand slam off Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge. Mac finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored, two walks and five RBIs. Gregor Blanco had two hits, walked once and scored a run. Jeff Francoeur had just his third multi-hit game since June 17: 2-for-5 with a run scored, including a base hit to right field and some really good-looking swings at the plate. Omar Infante, starting for Chipper at third, also had two hits, as did Kelly Johnson. Greg Norton started the defining ninth with a pinch-hit double. Defensively, the Braves played like champions. Infante made three outstanding plays at third base. Mark Teixeira had a couple of nice grabs at first. Yunel Escobar made a great play on a double play. Off the field, more good news: Tim Hudson said he believes the tightness in his right forearm that forced him from Wednesday’s start at Florida won’t cause him to miss his next turn in the rotation, and Tom Glavine had another good bullpen outing. Glav will throw in the bullpen again Sunday, and if all goes well he’ll pitch a simulated game Tuesday. And finally, Mike Hampton will – knock on wood – make his return to the majors today against the Phils, the Braves announcing the lefty will toe the slab for the middle game of this set, his first major-league appearance in 35 months.
The Bad: It wouldn’t be the 2008 Braves without a dose of bad news, and this dose is a big one: Chipper’s hamstring hasn’t improved, and Hoss could very well be on his way to the disabled list. The majors’ leading hitter at .369 has avoided the DL so far this season. Will Ohman, who inexplicably was called upon to pitch the bottom of the ninth despite the Braves leading 8-0, gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Howard. The Braves had plenty of chance to blow the game open before the ninth, finishing with 12 runners left on base. The Mets won, keeping the Braves at 6 ½ games out of first place in the NL East.
View from the Sports Garage: You’re playing Philly, a team you’ve lost to eight times in nine tries this season. You’re playing without Hoss, who you’re 5-11 this season when No. 10 rides the pine. You’re opening a series in which you’re slated to pitch a guy the next day who hasn’t climbed the bump in the majors since late 2005. Talk about must-win. And that’s exactly what the Braves did, in their most inspiring performance of the season. Granted, they left runners on all night long, but Jurrjens pitched like a veteran ace who was in total, total command. He looked like another pitcher the Braves got from Detroit once upon a time, some fella named John Smoltz. Unflappable. Owning the moment. Even with the offense not able to cash in and give him a cushion, JJJ sparkled, shutting down the Phillies with awesome command in the most important start of his young and promising career. The defense behind him was simply superb. Infante is so valuable to this team because not only can he play multiple positions, but he can play them very well. His play in the field at third was sensational. Give Bobby Cox a ton of credit, too. Instead of hitting Francoeur third, he moved Tex out of the cleanup spot and put Mac in the fourth hole. That worked out pretty well, I’d say. Bobby’s stubborn to a fault, as we all know, but I was pleasantly surprised he had Teixeira hitting third.
To blow it open in the ninth off Philly’s closer also was great. Perhaps it sends a message the Braves aren’t dead yet. Xavier Nady is now a Yankee, but if the Braves can somehow win today and tomorrow, you’ve got to think the tone and focus of Frank Wren’s phone conversations at the first of the week will change dramatically. Of course, the Braves aren’t there yet, and with losses the next two games, it’s highly likely the Braves will shift to sell mode. But four games into this critical, season-saving road trip, the Braves have positioned themselves to be buyers at the deadline. Now, it’s up to them to go out and finish things off this weekend, and force management to get a power-hitter for the lineup and perhaps a veteran starter for the back of the rotation. Say what you will about this team. They make things interesting. With victories in six of their past nine, the Braves just might be making themselves buyers come next week. But work remains to be done, and now, it’s Hammy Time …
On deck
Braves at Phillies
3:55 p.m. today, Citizens Bank Park
The Skinny: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Yes, Braves fans, Hampton (first start of the season) is slated to toe the slab for the hometown nine today, making his first major-league start in 35 months. We’ve been down this road with Hampton once before, remember. Hampton strained his pectoral muscle warming up in the bullpen April 3, minutes before returning to the majors. We’ve all chronicled his variety of injuries and the fact he hasn’t pitched in the big since Aug. 19, 2005, but provided nothing on his body breaks today, you hope Hampton can channel the emotions he’ll surely feel once he walks out onto the field. Arm-wise, stuff-wise, dude can help this team. He threw it well in spring training. He threw it well in his rehab assignments. Now, time for the veteran left-hander to throw it well for the big-league team, and try to help it stay in the race. And what a matchup today, with the Phils sending Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.11 ERA) to the bump. The left-hander has dominated the Braves this season, going 2-0 and allowing just one run and nine hits in 17 2/3 innings. It’ll be interesting to see if the Braves can continue their offensive prowess from last night against one of the best in the game. It’ll be even more interesting to see how Hampton does. If he can pitch four or five innings and keep the Braves in the game – and he doesn’t get hurt – then you have to consider his start a success, regardless of whether or not the Braves win or lose. But make no mistake about it: regardless of the Hampton saga and intrigue, this is another game Atlanta has to win.
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